Packing device



Aug. l2, 1941.

' Filed March 1s, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2I H www a W 5 5 6 z z m qd 9 Z o WA 5.5 ,c C MC 5 nw/a7 a z n z 5 .\\\\\.Wm4 C SQ, Z 4 ov 5 z Patented Aug. 12, 1941 LUN i TE 1 STATE S PATENT Q FFI-CE PACKING DEVICE vSheridan P. Tschappat; TulsayOkla.

Application March 16, 1939, Serial No. 262,104

4 6 Claims.

` This invention relates toL new and useful improvements in packing devices.

.-.One object of the` invention is to provide an improved .packing ldevice for eflicientlypacking ,'.offjaround a pipe, or other'cylindrical element andgbeing constructed so as to permit the --pas- ;sa'ge ofthepipe couplings, or. other exterior pro- Jectionsfon the pipe string Whilemaintaning the i seal .around said pipe string.

` .An important `object of the invention is to .pro. l vide an. Vimproved elastic. packing. member arranged to be mounted in a. packing device through lwhich a pipe, or other element extends, .salid member being adapted to be distorted into [sealingY position to seal off theannular space be- `.tween .the pipe and the device bya pressure from "below,whereby'mechanical means for distorting the member is unnecessary.

. .Anotherob-ject of the invention is to provide t an improved elasticp'acking member for packing off around alwelltub'ing, or other `pipe string which includes an inner annular apron or lip for engaging the tubingand an outer annular lip for engaging the housingwithin which` the member is mounted so as tofpack-off betweenthese parts,

`-the member being reinforced by radially disposed i ribs vwhich extend betweenV the sealing Alips `and which are partially disconnectedfrom the outer ylip, wherebysaid-outer lip may undergo a rlimited n y outwardrmovement'with relation tothe inner lip toiassure positive sealing at all times.

-A `further object of the invention lis 'to provide tubing, or the like into the inner. annular sealing element', whereby einlessive wear on the packingmernber is reduced and thelife thereof increased.

vwith other features of i the invention.

packing device, being constructed of al relatively hard` elastic material; whereby the .sealing .elements are reinforced` and prevented 'from being distorted beyond their. elasic.V limits, and also vwhereby the .life of the packing. member vismaterially increased. A

A construction designed to' carry =outjtheinvention will be hereinafter described, together The invention will be more. readily understood from a reading of the rfollowing specication-and by reference tothe accompanying drawings, in

.which an example 'of the invention'is!shown',.and

wherein: V l v Figure lis a View, partly in Ysection.andpartly in elevation, of a packingidevice,`..constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing ,the same supportinga lwell tubing,

.'Figure 2 is a similar .view, illustratingthetubing being moved through the device,

. Figure 3 is an isometric View of .theimproved Y. vpacking member constructed in. accord-ance .with

. the invention,

Aonthe line 6 6 of Figure 4,

Figure 4 is a plan view Figure.5 is a view, partly in .section andepartly in elevatlon, of said rubber, taken on-the..line 5,-5 of Figure 4,.

Figure 6 is a view, similar to' Figure 5, taken .Figure 7 `isa horizontal, cross-'sectional view,

. taken on the line I--l of Figure 5, and

Figure 8 is. a Ihorizontal, cross-sectionalview, taken on the line 8--8 of Figure 5.

In the drawings, the numeral I D. designatesthe body` of a tubing `or casing headlwhichhas an axial bore II extending therethrough.' The lower end of the bore is screw-threaded to` permit the body to be mounted on a well casing A, or

-other support.4 Radially extending .outlet ports 40.

I2 which are adapted to receive outlet pipes (not shown) are provided in `theywall ofthe bodyand communicate-with the bore thereof. The upper portion of the bore isflared outwardlyy to form anannular, inclined seat .I3 within said body. and immediately above the seat, an internal, annular shoulder I4 4is provided. The shoulder is located in aplane below the top of the .body vand the ywall A particular object of they invention is to pro- V vide an improved packing member. lof the charjacter described, wherein the sealing elements .thereof are constructed of a relatively soft mafor thepackingi-member within` the'housing of of the .bore above `saidshoulder Vis substantially vertical.

The upper rend of the bo'dyis externally screwthreaded and is adapted. to receive a-flanged cap or retaining member I5. yThis member has a slip supporting bowl I6 made integral therewith and is .clearly shown in Figures 1 .and 2,4 the bowl vextendsV axially. and v.upwardly from said can member. The bore of the bowl has a diameter less than the bore of the body and is inclined to provide an inclined seating Isurface I'I, whereby the usual pipe supporting slips I8 may be mounted therein. A well tubing, pipe or other element B may extend axially through the bowl and body and, manifestly, the usual teeth on the inner surface of the slips I8 engage said tubing to support the same, The provision of the inclined seat I7 permits the slips to be wedged between said seat and the outer surface of the tubing, whereby said tubing is suspended from tfhe slips in the usual manner. When the well tubing is supported by the slips, it will be obvious that the underside of the cap or retaining member I overlies the annular space between the tubing and the bore of the body I0.

The slips I 8 may be retained in the bowl by any suitable means, but it is preferable to internally screw-thread the upper end of the Vbore of the bowl above the seat II, whereby an annular retaining gland or plug I9 may be mounted therein. In order to pack 01T the annular space between the tubing and bowl, an annular elastic packing ring 20 surrounds the tubing and has its outer peripheral portion resting on a shoulder 2| provided for. the purpose and disposed immediately above the seat I'I. The packing ring has its inner periphery contacting the outer surface of the tubing with its outer periphery engaging tfhe wall of the bore of the bowl so as to pack off the annular space around the tubing. A metallic follower ring 22 is interposed between the packing ring andthe underside of the gland I9 and, with this. arrangement, tightening of the gland distorts and holds the packing ring in a sealing position. Also, the provision of the gland prevents the slips I8 from being forced or blown upwardly from the bowl by a pressure from below It is pointed out that the particular means for supporting the well tubing B forms no part of the present invention, being described merely for the sake of clarity. This means is, therefore, sub- J'ect to variation.

For packing off the annular space between the well tubing B and the bore of the body above the outlet ports I2 so as to prevent an escape of the well pressure upwardly from the well casing A, and also to provide a stripper for stripping fluid from the outer surface of the well tubing when the same is being removed from the well, an annular packing. member C is arranged to be mounted in the bore of the body lil. The memberis constructed of rubber, rubber compound, or other suitable elastic material and includes an inner annular sealing apron or lip 23 which is relatively elongate in a vertical plane, and which is arranged to Contact or engage the outer surface of the tubing B which extends through the bore of said apron. Y An outer, annular sealing lip 24 which is shorter in vertical length than the apron is spaced from said apron and is adapted to engage the inclined, seating surface I3 in the bore of the body. The upper ends of the sealing apron and lip are connected by a ring or backing portion 25 which is made integral therewith and which is also constructed of an elastic packing material. Thus, the spaced, inner and outer sealing elements connected at their upper ends by the ring or backing portion form the packing member C having an axial bore C. The upper end of this bore is flared or curved outwardly, as shown at 26, whereby when the well tubing is lowered into the packing member, said tubing is guided into the bore thereof.

The outer periphery of the outer sealing lip 24 is inclined slightly to conform to the incline of the seating surface i3 of the bore and immediately above this inclined portion, a metallic seating ring 2l is embedded, or otherwise secured in the outer surface of the packing member. As is clearly shown in Figures l and 2, when the lip 24 is engaging the inclined surface I3 of the bore, the cuter portion of the underside of this ring is arranged to engage or seat upon the internal shoulder I4 within the bore of the body, whereby said ring provides a rigid support for the packingl member. Above the metallic ring, the outer surface of the packing member C is substantially vertical so as to engage the straight wall cf the bore II above the shoulder I4.

When the packing member C is in position within the body IS, with the tubing B extending through its bore C', the inner, elongate sealing lip or apron 23 engages the outer surface of the tubing, with the outer lip 24 engaging the surface I3 of the bore of the body. The packing member is supported on the shoulder I4 and the periphery of the member above the shoulder contacts the wall of the bere. Upward displacement of the packing member is prevented by the engagement of the underside of the cap or retaining member I5 with the top of the packing member. Manifestly, the well pressure in the casing A is acting upwardly against the packing member and this pressure urges the sealing elements outwardly from each other, spreading the same and forcing them into intimate contact with the well tubing B and the wall of the bore I I, whereby a positive seal is effected between the tubing and body. The upward pressure against the packing member also forces the same upwardly whereby the top of the member is urged against the retain-ing cap or member I5 which has been screwed down onto the body sufficiently to hold the metallic ring 2 on the shoulder I4.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the sealing elements 23 and 2li provide the seal, while the upper portion of the member, which is the backing or ring portion 25, sustains or bears the pressure acting from below. Thus, it is desirable that the sealing elements be of a relatively soft, elastic material, such as a high tensile rubber, so that said elements are flexible and readily distortable; however, since the backing portion or ring sustains the wear and acts as a support, it is desirable that this portion be of a relatively hard, elastic material so as to be capable of longer wear. For this reason, the upper portion, and particularly the outer corner, of the backing or ring 25 is formed of a hard rubber, as indicated by the letter H. As illustrated, this hardened portion extends from a point below the metallic ring 21 transversely at an incline to the bore C' of the packing member. If desired, the entire backing 25 could be of the harder material. The remainder of the memben'and particularly the sealing elements 23 and 24, is made of a softer elastic material, as indicated by the letter S, whereby they are flexible and readily distortable so as to assure a positive sealing engagement with the tubing and body. Thus, the sealing elements of the packing member which perform the sealing are of a more pliable material than the backing portion which sustains lthe wear. In this manner, the life of the packing member is materially increased since the wearing surfaces are of the relatively hard material capable of longer wear.

For reinforcing the annular, flexible seahng elements 23; andj'i24, Aa plurality off reinforcing `nribs 128v extend radiallyF off-the annular space f between said :sealing elements. ',Each' rib Yismade integral.,withgthe'inner sealing apron or element, being of thesame elastic material and' the lower endoff reach rib projects below the lower end of said innersealinggapron.. As is clearly shown in wFiguresLgZg-, and 6, the inner portion of the lower `,end of teach rib fisinclined orbevelled, as indicated at 2,9, such bevel mergingy into the bore -C oftheQpackingymember adjacent the lower f end of-thesealing Aapronw23. `The outer vertical surf-acepf. the Vrib `is tapered or inclined vso asto Aforma-continuationofthe inclined surface of the sealing-H1124 Figure 5),- whereby theouter surfaoes of ;t-he ribs, contacter engage. the iinclined i, surface1|3fofthe ,bore of,` thebowl.

yend rof each rib or that :portion between the i sealing, lip f2l1and@sealing apron 23,4 is widened transversely, as :indicated at 3U in Figure 3 so as .to ,impart Aincreased .strength to this portion of The upper the rib. 'Iihefupperrend of `each rib which extendscontiguous to: they-inner Vvertical face of the shorter sealing lip 24 is disconnected therefrom, whereby a narrow slot 3l is formed between said rib and said lip. Thus, the lip 24 is free to move independently of the ribs and also (independently of the inner annular sealing apron 23 to Which the ribs are attached throughout their vertical length. Thus, the inner sealing apron may follow the contour of the tubing and may move radially as the couplings B', or other projections on said tubing, pass therethrough Without affecting the sealing engagement of the outer lip 24 with the boie of the body.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a most eflicient packing member is provided. The member may readily be inserted within the body, after which the cap or retaining member I5 is screwed onto the body. The well tubing may then be run into the well casing through the packing member C, as is shown in Figure 2, said tubing being guidedv into the bore of the member by the curved or flared upper end 26 of the bore. The pressure below the member acting upwardly against the member spreads the annular sealing elements 23 and 24, whereby said elements tightly engage' the tubing and bore of the body to effect a positive seal. Since these elements are of a flexible, elastic material, efficient sealing is assured. As a coupling B', or other projection, on the tubing enters the annular sealing apron or element 23, said apron is forced outwardly, as shown in Figure 2, but since the apron and ribs 28 attached thereto, are not positively connected to the outer sealing lip, such movement of the apron does not effect the seal between saidlip and the bore of the body. The apron. 23, being constructed of relatively soft elastic material, follows the contour of the coupling B and mjaintains a positive seal therewith as the coupling moves therethrough. After the tubing has been run into the well, the slips i8 are' dropped into the bowl and the packing ring 20 and gland I9, both of which are preferably split, are inserted into the upper end of said bowl to retain the slips and prevent upward displacement thereof. Manifestly, the pressure acting upwardly against the packing member C maintains the sealing elements 23 and 24 in their sealing positions. The backing portion or ring 25, which is of a hardened material as compared to the material of which the sealing elements are constructed, sustains the pressure acting against member CI byzthe bevelled lowerends. 29 of the ,ribs 28 tand; therefore,v rsaid couplings do not striketlie lower. endbf the inner sealing element. If desired', this `lovverend of said sealing element may be rounded, asindicatedat 23a,

' to eliminate sharp corners and further aid in ,guidingthe tubing through the member. `The radial ribs not Yonly actas a guide means but also serve to. reinforce the sealing elements for,

. fobviouslyfsaid ribs'i prevent the sealing elements from` being turnedV inside out `by an 4excessive pressure frcmbelowl during raising of the tubing. `Although. the .ribs t28 have "been illustrated as constructed 'of.a relatively soft elastic material, as arefthe sealingcelemients, theseribs could be of a relatively hard' elastic material, such as the ma- -terial .of which the backing portion or` ring 25 is constructed.

'Ihe foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A packing device including, a body through which a well tubing extends, an elastic packing member mounted within the bore of the body for sealing oif the annular space between the body and tubing, said member including a ring portion having depending inner and outer annular sealing elements which are spaced from each other and which are arranged to engage said tubing and body to effect a seal with these parts, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs extending between and attached to one of the sealing elements for reinforcing and bracing said elements, each rib having its lower end projecting below the lower end of the sealing elements and having its inner edge bevelled inwardly, whereby said ribs act to guide the well tubing into the inner sealing member.

2. An annular elastic packing member including, a ring portion, an annular elongate sealing element depending from the inner periphery of the ring portion, an annular sealing lip depending from the outer -periphery of said ring portion, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs connected to the element and extending between the lip and said element for reinforcing and bracing the sealing element and lip, each rib having its lower end terminating in a plane below the lower end of the sealing element whereby said ribs act to guide a cylindrical pipe member into the sealing element.

3. An annular elastic packing member including, a ring portion, an annular elongate sealing element depending from the ring portion, an annular sealing lip depending from the outer annular portion of the sealing element, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs directly between the sealing element and the lip for reinforcing and bracing the sealing element and lip, each rib being attached to the sealing element and to the underside of the ring portion and being free from the sealing lip, whereby said lip is capable of a limited movement with relation to the sealing element.

4. An annular elastic packing member including, a ring portion, an annular elongate sealing element depending from the inner periphery of the ring portion, an annular sealing lip depending from the outer periphery of said ring portion, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs between the lips for reinforcing and bracing the sealing elemient and lip, each rib being attached to the sealing element and to the underside of the ring portion and being free from the sealing lip, whereby said lip is capable of a limited movement with relation to the' sealing element, the lower end of each rib terminating in a plane below the lower end of the sealing element, whereby said ribs act as a guide for guiding a pipe element into the sealing element.

5. A packing device including, a cylindrical body having an axial bore therethrough for the passage of an axial member, said body having upright radial ribs attached to and disposed around its lower portion, and an annular lip overhanging said ribs and free therefrom to be expanded into sealing position by the Well uid. 6. In a packing device, the combination of an annular elastic packing member including an upper ring portion, an annular elongate sealing element depending from the ring portion, an annular sealing lip depending from the outer periphery of said sealing element spaced from said sealing element, the sealing element and lip being constructed of a relatively soft elastic material so as to be freely flexible, while the ring portion is constructed of a relatively hard elastic material so as to have increased wearing qualities, and a plurality of radially disposed ribs carried by the sealing element between the lip and sealing element for reenforcing and bracing the sealing element and lip, each rib having its lower end terminating in a plane below the lower end of the sealing element whereby said ribs act to guide a cylindrical pipe member into the sealing element, the sealing lip being free from the ribs soI as to expand away therefrom.

SHERIDAN P. TSCHAPPAT. 

